10 WAYS YOU CAN BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN HOMETOWN

Travelling to far-off destinations may hold wonderful experiences, yet you can find the same kind of excitement without travelling far from your front door! Your home town offers lots of spaces to visit where you’ll be sure to find something you’ve overlooked no matter how many years you’ve called your city home. Playing tourist in your hometown gives you fresh eyes to see your city from a new perspective. You may find a newness in visiting tourist attractions as well as ideas for what to do with out-of-town family and visitors. Here are ten ways you can reacquaint yourself with your city.

1. Go Downtown- Start your tourist-in-disguise outing with a visit downtown, where all the happenings of your city are sure to be. Here you may find interesting hole-in-the-wall shops that a normal commute through downtown would otherwise cause you to miss. On the weekends you may happen upon a street festival, vendors or any other events that don’t normally take place during the week. Bustling city centres next to appetising restaurants are sure to delight as you explore what your town hides during the work week.

2.Take a Tour- Many cities offer tours for visitors to get a little taste of the city. Whether it be a segway tour or a slower walking tour you still get to see a different side of your town with interesting stops along the way. Tours are a great way to play tourist in your city as you will discover new facts you previously didn’t know. Some tours may even have a theme, such as haunted ghost tours that are popular around Halloween but may be available year round.

3. Go on a Day Trip- Expand your horizons a bit and journey outside of town, were you’re sure to find natural wonders within a short drive away. Hiking trails, parks, wildlife observatories or other outdoor adventures are usually just outside city limits. While avid hikers and outdoors people may be more familiar with such destinations, many people who live within cities often don’t make use of such wonderful resources such a short drive away. You can definitely be a tourist in a whole new environment.

4. Take it to the Roof- When visiting a new destination people like to get a bird’s eye view of the land below. Why not take the chance to do the same for your city? Find out if there are any tall buildings that allow the public to see the city from above, and if they do take them up on the opportunity. If there are any restaurants that feature roof-top dining you can also take them up on the offer while enjoying a wonderful meal.

5. Attend Local Festivals- Every town has their own cultural festivals that go on at various times of the year. Why not check out your city’s biggest one? Some cities are also host of national festivals for a few years at a time, which gives them a chance to show tourists and residents what they have, so what better time to be a tourist than that? While you may run into people you know, you’ll also discover vendors you didn’t know existed, sample new foods and have a great time.

6. Go Back in Time- No matter where you live there is always a bit of history to find. If your city has a history museum give it a visit. Bigger cities may have historical markers or tours set up so you can find out how the city was formed and how key landmarks became the buildings they are today. History tours may also be led by volunteers. Once you know your town’s upbringing you’ll appreciate how it became the town it is today better.

7. Check out Parks and Natural Areas- Many towns and cities feature parks and natural areas in honor of prominent residents or sponsors. Some parks may feature bells and whistles such as a water park while others may be toned down with rock gardens and paved trails. A stroll through either one will give you a better idea of your city’s personality. Parks dedicated to honoring the city’s early builders will give you a better idea of why roads may have certain names while newer parks will show you the directions the city may be moving in.

8. Get Out of the House for a Night- Taking a night away from home is a great way to play tourist and no one needs to know! If your town has a notable hotel or bed and breakfast, taking a night to visit is a wonderful way to see what all the fuss is about. You’ll get to see what it’s like to stay in town as if you were a visitor staying for a night only knowing home is close by.

9. Visit your Town’s Most Famous Landmark- Most towns have a landmark that stands out above all others. If you’ve never visited it before now is the perfect time. No one needs to know you live right around the corner. Once you know why it’s so important to your city you can bring out-of-town visitors here and show them around. You’re sure to find out some interesting information you didn’t know before that will have you thinking about visiting again with a new perspective of this landmark.

10. Why not ask your children, I am sure they will come up with some amazing ideas.

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Welcome to Inspirove!

Inspirove – means inspire you to rove or travel.

Hello, I’m Amanda and I have started this blog as I would like to inspire you and your family to travel with your children. We love to travel and would like to share our tips to help you on your adventures.